The purpose of an economic sanction, be it multilateral or unilateral, is
basically, to use the sanction as an instrument to inflict suffering on a target
country to force its government or regime to change its objectionable policies
or behaviors.
Historically, the
economic and political experts have argued that
economic sanctions have a poor track record and their impact in the case
of specific governments or regimes has not been so ideal. Most of the time, it
is not the governments that feel the hardship because normally the pressure is
easily passed on the people.
The political relation and animosity between the U.S. administration and the
Islamic government
is besides the point of this article and would not be discussed here. This
article is about the people, the real innocent
and simple human beings, about the mothers and fathers who, every now and then,
tragically lose their sons
and daughters in an air-crash in Iran, in a series of disastrous incidents that
there would be no end to it, unless
some drastic actions are taken. The people in mind here are the men, women and
children who have been and still
are being deprived of safe air travel. The governments obligations under
international human rights and
humanitarian laws, are to respect human rights and avoid loss of life.
Therefore, putting the peoples lives at risk
by refusing to sell them aircraft and spare parts is as immoral and
unjustified as to intentionally deny them food
and medicine to let them
die.
Proponents of human rights
in the so called civilized countries should avoid imposition of sanctions that
would deny the basic human rights of the civilian people in the target
countries. In conclusion, no citizen of the world should be victimized because
of their governments wrong doings; in other words, imposition of sanctions on a
country should be focused on punishing the governments, but not the people.
Simply put, no one should hate and penalize American people for the wrong doings
of their administration. Therefore, Iranian lives should not be put at risk by
denying their airlines the necessary spare parts and aircraft.
The first Iran Air Boeing aircraft, a B727, was delivered as early as June
7,
1966 and the last one, a B747, on September 9, 1977. In other words the life of
Iran Air Boeing airplanes is between 31 to 42 years. The age of Iran Air's
Boeing fleet have been prolonged by procuring costly spare parts through third
parties, cannibalizing, and rigorous maintenance performed by Iranian engineers;
but the question is how reliable and airworthy these airplanes could be and are
they safe enough to guarantee the necessary safety of their passengers? No one
is in a position to provide assurance. Just recently, the head of Iranian civil
aviation, who very well knows the existing commercial fleet in Iran and has
their records, very bluntly said, Every day and night, I am praying to God to
prevent our aircraft incidents.
The prohibition of Boeing sales of aircraft and spare parts as a result of U.S.
imposed economic sanction has deprived Iranian aviation from buying modern
western commercial aircraft and has compelled Iran Airs subsidiary, Iran
Airtour, as well as many other Iranian airlines to buy or lease
unsophisticated, often old and dubious, Russian aircraft, which so far since
1978 has claimed hundreds if not thousands of innocent human lives in Iran. The
new airplanes, as I have mentioned in my book, The History of Iranian Commercial
Aviation, published in 2007 is not meant to abolish all the Iranian aviation
woes. Obviously, the countrys airline industry has its own many shortcomings;
therefore, the Boeings or for that matter any new airplanes will not solve their
entire dilemma, however, it will at least eliminate their managements biggest
excuse for all their grievances.
Iran Air for eleven years used to be a good customer of and for many good
reasons preferred Boeing over its competitors. In 1977 when for the first time,
the airline reluctantly purchased 6 Airbus A300s, Iran Air management at the
time knew very well that using multiple equipment was not right and beneficial
to the company, yet had no choice but to follow the governments order. Now, it
is totally unfair, that Iran Air advocacy for Boeing and its preference over
other manufacturers to be used as a weapon against the airline and being denied
the lawful supply of new aircraft and spare parts.
Fifteen years ago, on April 10, 1993, International Herald Tribune under Boeing
Seeks Sales to Iran wrote, Washington: The white House said Friday that it was
reviewing a request by Boeing Co. and General Electric Co. to pursue sales of
passenger jets in Iran, despite a U.S. ban on trade with that country. The
newspaper continues, we are reviewing it, Dee Dee Myers, White house press
secretary, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Well take a look at it out of
fairness to the industry. This is a typical broken promise by the
administration. Incidentally, what was a necessity 15 years ago is now a real
emergency and a matter of life and death for the Iranian travelling public.
According to Herald Tribune of December 14, 2005, a report prepared for the
International Civil Aviation Organization warned that U.S. sanctions against
Iran were placing civilian lives in danger by denying Iranian aviation necessary
spare parts and aircraft repair. The report, written by a Canadian contractor,
had been requested and paid for by Iran, agency officials said, but Iran had no
role in writing it. The report did not deal with military aircraft, but it said
that the U.S. government and major U.S. companies were ignoring international
treaties and taking actions that put passengers on Iranian commercial airlines
at risk, including thousands of people from other countries traveling to and
from Iran. The Herald Tribune writes, when asked for comments, The U.S.
official, who spoke on condition of
not being identified by name,
said that if any Iranian civilian aircraft were unsafe to fly, it would be the
responsibility of civil air authorities in Iran to keep it grounded. With
thanks to the unidentified official for his genius idea, it seems that the
person even didnt know the size of Iran and its population, otherwise, he would
have not made such a suggestion.
In the same article, Herald tribute writes, In all discussions, Dr. Kotaite
always recognized the commitment of the United States to ensure the safety of
airline operations, and that this was the guiding principle during the present
negotiations," the statement said. "When the United States was convinced that
safety was in jeopardy, they allowed spare parts to be delivered." And
continues, The lack of concern for aviation safety is surprising in intensity
and vigor," the report said, "Since most Iranian aircraft spend most of their
time in foreign airspace over foreign built-up areas, common sense and an agreed
minimum level of safety must prevail within the concept of economic sanctions."
The general understanding is that the key to this impasse is in the hand of the
President of the United State of
America and he is the man who can authorize the aircraft and spare parts sales
to Iran. Therefore here are few words for the president.
Mr. President! At times and on special occasion like Iranian New Year, you have
addressed Iranian people. Respectfully, permit me to remind you of your words by
quoting them here. In your radio address on December 2002, you said, I'm
pleased to send warm greetings to the people of Iran... then you continued to
say, My thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian people, particularly the
families of the many Iranians.
During your interview with VOA, you said We're always
concerned about the individual.. And of course we're worried about the human
condition! And finally on another occasion you said, I believe Iranians
would thrive if they were given more opportunities to travel
As you see, you have admired the Iranian people; have wished them a happy New
Year and prosperity. But honestly speaking Mr. President, more often than not,
Iranian would need your condolences rather than your greetings. Have you ever,
after an air disaster in Iran condoled the Iranians who have lost their loved
ones in an airplane crash or have burned in Russian made airliners? If not, I
suggest you prepare to do so, because one of these days another catastrophic and
tragic accident may occur, because of your prohibitions on the sale of aircraft
and spare parts to Iranian airlines. Please Mr. President, dont allow this to
happen again. Disapproval of Boeing sales of new passenger aircraft to Iran is a
foreseeable risk of harm to human lives and is therefore greatly
uncompassionate. If you have any concern for Iranian, please solve this little
problem for them, and prove yourself in deed rather than words.
Meanwhile, the benefit of selling aircraft to Iranian is a dual process, on the
one hand lives of innocent people are saved and on the other hand Boeing, by
making more sales, will boost the American economy. Iran Air and other
Iranian airlines have a need for new modern western jet airplanes. Once the
embargo is lifted, it is estimated all carriers combined would buy between
250 to 300
airplanes. Under present economic situation, this is a good size sales for
Boeing and could be a decisive factor for that company.
Looking forward to the days that our
people would ride safe and reliable aircraft.
